The other half of MY family is my husband who takes all the pictures of me with my eyes closed-but he is a great guy and my hero-a great support which we all need to get back into fitness and healthy eating. I worked as a Social Worker/Therapist for a number of years and am now enjoying my freedom from work years-retirement. But retirement doesn't have to mean retiring from life! The greatest steps to change have come very ...

Hi from Beautiful British Columbia CANADA

The other half of MY family is my husband who takes all the pictures of me with my eyes closed-but he is a great guy and my hero-a great support which we all need to get back into fitness and healthy eating. I worked as a Social Worker/Therapist for a number of years and am now enjoying my freedom from work years-retirement. But retirement doesn't have to mean retiring from life! The greatest steps to change have come very slowly-it takes time to form healthy eating patterns and to incorporate fitness as a daily, weekly and monthly habit. But once I do so many things are possible. I bought a plaque that says "Change is Good" and it is going to be my motto.

When I started swimming lengths the biggest fear I had was putting on a bathing suit and walking past all the beautiful young people. Honestly I put my head down so no one could see my eyes. There were days when I put on my bathing suit and just cried because I looked in the mirror and couldn't face what I saw. But then, the minute I was in the pool I felt great! What I couldn't do on land became insignificant-I could swim like a fish- I kept swimming and one day I saw an advertisment for the BC Senior Games and I thought-I wonder if I can go there and swim in a competition? I thought about it for a long time and thought "Next year" and I then I thought "Just do it"- The long and short of it is-I am going in September to the BC Senior Games!!!!!!!I may not be a winner but I am going to be a competitor. I am practising a backstroke flip turn and it is coming along- One thing I noticed was there was an age category for every senior age to 100-and many many people were swimming throughout their lives and competing for life. Now I am swimming about an hour 5-6 times a week. I am not afraid to walk into the pool or how I look in a bathing suit because what I do when I get into the pool feels good. I have lost 23 pounds to date and that is a slow process but not impossible. I keep working at it chipping away the pounds and saying I can do this-and I am starting to do this every day-and every day working consistently on this project of self-renewal in fitness and weight loss. Wishing you all good luck on this great journey-you will discover what you are made of and you will get going -no negotiating with self-just go out and do it!!!!!!!!!!anybody can make changes and I see women of all sizes coming into the pool now-so some message is getting out there- Have a great day Gail

PS I just got back from the BC Seniors championships and I came home with6 silver medals and one gold medal-I am so happy and excited-I am going to go to a Masters swim meet in the fall of 2010-It is good to have a goal to work towards -so I really really understand all the people that want the goal of doing a marathon whether it is walking or running... OK I am ready for more although I am so sore and I ache all over-but I feel good that I went and it is nice to get a medal but it was not the most important thing. The most important thing was that I did not back down. I didn't get sick and not go. I didn't get ashamed by my big body in a swimsuit (mainly because everyone looked old and fat in one way or another-even anorexic women had bellies-so never let anyone laugh at you again!!!)

My Goals:
1. To lose weight 2. To eat a healthful way all the time 3. to exercise at least 4 times per week in the pool 4. To be free of guilt and doubt about

My Program:
I am committed to my program that includes exercise and weight management-

Other Information:
Damn the torpedoes-full steam ahead!

You know in a war when ships were surrounded by the enemy-the brave said forget those torpedoes aimed at you-just keep going -and that's how I see my challenge-I have to work through the "I quits", "I'm tired" "I want that ice cream cone" to finally make it through the war to win a healthy lifestyle!

just droping by to say welcome to the knees team and wish you well with you lifestyle changes,as we journey together.............we are here for you............if you need any help don't hesitate to ask..............looking forward to getting to know you better...............blessings and hugs..................lita

I am so impressed with your swimming. That is such a tough sport. You've done great so keep up the good work. I too am retired...and think it is not only important what you've retired FROM, but maybe even more important as to what you will retire TO. We always need to have projects & goals in mind. Sounds like you have yours.